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China's torpedoes, new-type sea mine make military parade debut; expert highlights maritime blockade capabilities

Global Times

By Liu Xuanzun, Fan Wei and Liang Rui Published: Sep 03, 2025 12:55 PM

An underwater weapon formation consisted of four types of weapons appeared for the first time at China's V-Day military parade on Wednesday to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. Military affairs experts told the Global Times that the four types of underwater equipment can target various types of enemy naval vessels and effectively carry out maritime blockade missions.

The four types of underwater equipment displayed at the event are the light torpedo, rocket-assisted torpedo, heavy torpedo and new-type special mission sea mine. The three types of torpedoes can attack surface vessels and underwater targets, while the new-type special mission sea mine can intelligently identify targets and launch autonomous attacks, making it a top weapon to guard strategic strongholds and launch surprise attacks.

"Generally speaking, torpedoes are divided into two types: light and heavy. In addition, there are some new-technology torpedoes, such as using light torpedoes as warheads with rocket boosters to assist them in flight. All three of them are displayed at the parade," military affairs expert Zhang Junshe told the Global Times. He said that the light torpedo is mainly suitable for naval battles in shallow waters near the coast. In the nearshore waters, due to the shallow water depth, it is not suitable for heavy torpedo operations. Therefore, the light torpedo has been developed for shallow water operations, which usually carry out strike missions at depths of 50-100 meters.

Especially with the development of submarine technology enabling shallow water operations, the light torpedoes have developed rapidly. Enemy ships and submarines operating in China's coastal areas and nearby major waterways could all be included as its targets," said Zhang.

The size and weight of the heavy torpedo are significantly larger compared to light torpedo. Zhang believes that this means that the heavy torpedo can have a longer range and a more powerful warhead. It could mainly be carried by surface ships or submarines, and used to attack enemy large and medium-sized surface ships.

Compared to light and heavy torpedoes, the rocket-assisted torpedo has significant differences in appearance. Zhang said that the rocket-assisted torpedo is a product of the combination of missile technology and torpedo technology. This weapon system is highly efficient and practical, with the advantages of fast navigation speed, long range, and flexible combat mode. It can be launched by surface ships, submarines, and shipborne aircraft.

"The rocket-assisted torpedo is mainly used to attack nuclear-powered submarines. Nowadays, nuclear-powered submarines can travel very fast underwater, usually reaching speeds of over 50 kilometers per hour. Traditional torpedoes may not be able to catch up with the speed," Zhang said, noting that the rocket-assisted torpedo can be launched quickly upon discovering a hostile submarine, and its maximum range can usually reach tens of kilometers. After reaching the designated location in the air, the flying torpedo enters the water to go after the submarine. This is why rocket-assisted torpedo is often vividly referred to as an "anti-submarine missile," the expert said.

The new type of mine unveiled this time has the ability of intelligent recognition and autonomous attack. Zhang said that generally speaking, this type of intelligent mine can be deployed in specific waters and placed at specific depths. After setting the relevant parameters and performance indicators of the surface and underwater vessels that need to be struck, it can autonomously identify the characteristics of these enemy vessels and carry out strikes.

"This equipment can be understood as a highly intelligent 'time bomb', which is mainly used to block the enemy's important sea transportation lines, strategic channels, or military ports and docks. It can effectively cut off the enemy's sea transportation lifeline, or trap enemy ships in the port and dock, making it difficult for them to move," Zhang said.